Researchers granted 20 per cent skilled visa salary discount

Upcoming April hike in minimum salaries for skilled worker visa route still branded “very concerning”

Ahead of a major immigration overhaul the Home Office has confirmed that foreign researchers will be granted discounts of up to 20 per cent in the minimum salary required under a key visa route.

The news is likely to come as a relief to the UK’s research and higher education sector, after concerns that a hike of nearly 50 per cent in the minimum salary threshold for the skilled worker visa could throw up barriers to attracting staff from overseas.